It has been revealed, of the 2605 complaints handled by Perth and Kinross Dog wardens since 2010 only 69 resulted in fines being dished out to owners and a total of £1170 worth of fines have gone unpaid since that same date.
Murdo has called into question the effectiveness of the current system where the burden of proof is so high that fines are rarely distributed.
Corroborating evidence is particularly difficult when dog wardens rarely see offences being committed with their own eyes, however Murdo believes the current percentage of unpaid fines (38%) is also far too high.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“To have so many complaints to dog wardens yet so few penalty notices would indicate that the current system is not working as well as perhaps it could.
“Fife Council has turned to using thermal cameras to try and catch dog owners who don’t pick up after their animals and this technology could prove useful in other areas.
“Ultimately the issue of corroboration is resulting in fewer notices than complaints. Cheap disposable DNA testing kits could be the key to improving the responsibility of dog owners.
“Furthermore, Perth and Kinross council must crack down on those who are refusing to pay penalty notices as to have 38% refuse to cough up is rendering the process useless.
“Irresponsible dog owners and dog fouling are two issues that almost every community throughout Perth would cite as a problem and it is high time that the issue is cleaned up.”